Key Votes

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Vote Smart provides easy access to congressional and state voting records and maintains a collection of key votes grouped by issue. Vote Smart uses the following criteria to select key votes:

  1. The vote should be helpful in portraying how a member stands on a particular issue
  2. The vote should be clear for any person to understand
  3. The vote has received media attention
  4. The vote was passed or defeated by a very close margin
  5. Occasionally, if a specific bill is consistently inquired about on the Voter's Research Hotline, the vote will be added

Vote Smart provides a summary of the version of the bill text associated with each selected key vote. Our summaries are written by Vote Smart's staff and interns, who adhere to our strict policies and procedures in order to guarantee absolute impartiality and accuracy. They do not necessarily reflect the content of the final version of the bill, but rather the version voted on in that stage. While many procedural votes take place before a full chamber vote, our voting stages reflect the final reading of each chamber vote. Each key vote selection is reviewed by the project's community of advisors, who are political scientists and journalists from all fifty states.

For more information about the legislative process, see here.


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Date State Bill No. Title Outcome
Dec. 22, 2010 National HR 847 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 60)
Dec. 17, 2010 National HR 5510 Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act Bill Failed - House (210 - 145)
Dec. 16, 2010 National H Amdt 786 Amending the Estate Tax Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
Dec. 13, 2010 NJ S 1 Low-Income Housing Amendments and Abolishing the Council on Affordable Housing Bill Passed - House (43 - 32)
Dec. 8, 2010 National HR 6495 Mine Safety Act Bill Failed - House (214 - 193)
Dec. 8, 2010 National HR 5281 DREAM Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198)
Nov. 22, 2010 NJ ACR 151 Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
Nov. 18, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
Nov. 15, 2010 PA HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (165 - 31)
Sept. 30, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
Sept. 21, 2010 MI SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
Sept. 16, 2010 National HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
Sept. 15, 2010 MI SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
Aug. 31, 2010 CA AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 18)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 26, 2010 CA SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
Aug. 25, 2010 MI HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
Aug. 24, 2010 CA SB 399 Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal a Sentence of Life Without Parole Bill Failed - House (34 - 38)
July 28, 2010 National HR 5827 Exempting Guns from an Estate for Bankruptcy Purposes Bill Passed - House (307 - 113)
July 21, 2010 National HR 725 Tribal Law Enforcement Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (326 - 92)
July 15, 2010 National HR 5114 Flood Insurance Program Extension Bill Passed - House (329 - 90)
July 12, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
July 10, 2010 NC HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 21)
July 8, 2010 NC HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 8)
July 7, 2010 NC HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Bill Passed - House (93 - 20)
July 6, 2010 NC SB 1015 Homeowner and Homebuyer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
June 30, 2010 National HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
June 30, 2010 PA HB 2572 Establishing the Special Juvenile Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - House (125 - 76)
June 29, 2010 NC SB 1216 Extending the Emergency Foreclosure Program Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
June 29, 2010 NJ S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
June 29, 2010 NY S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)
June 29, 2010 NY S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)
June 28, 2010 NJ S 2094 Limiting State Alternate Benefit Program for Higher Education Faculty Bill Passed - House (41 - 36)
June 28, 2010 NC HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
June 23, 2010 PA HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
June 21, 2010 CT HB 5207 Criminal Background Checks for State Employees Veto Override Passed - House (120 - 19)
June 21, 2010 CT HB 5248 Establishing a Sentencing Commission Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 9)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
June 20, 2010 LA HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)
June 18, 2010 LA SB 584 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority Bill Passed - House (75 - 23)
June 18, 2010 LA SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
June 18, 2010 NY A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
June 17, 2010 MI SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
June 16, 2010 LA HB 303 Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
June 16, 2010 NY A 11410 Emergency Housing Rent Control Extension Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
June 16, 2010 PA HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - House (192 - 6)
June 10, 2010 National H Amdt 686 Limiting Federal Housing Administration Mortgage Issuance Amendment Rejected - House (106 - 316)
June 10, 2010 National H Amdt 684 Increasing Minimum Down Payment for Federal Housing Administration Mortgages Amendment Rejected - House (131 - 289)
June 10, 2010 National H Amdt 688 Limiting Principal Obligation Amounts of Federal Housing Administration Mortgages Amendment Rejected - House (121 - 301)
June 10, 2010 RI H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
June 9, 2010 TN HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30)
June 9, 2010 TN HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30)
June 8, 2010 PA HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
June 7, 2010 NY S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (90 - 44)
June 7, 2010 NY S 8088 Requiring Prior Approval of Health Insurance Premium Rates Bill Passed - House (117 - 17)
June 3, 2010 CA AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
June 3, 2010 CA AB 2047 Expanding Authorized University Admission Considerations Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 28)
June 2, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
June 2, 2010 OH SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
June 2, 2010 CA AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
June 2, 2010 CA AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
June 1, 2010 CA AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
June 1, 2010 CA AB 1602 Health Care Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
May 28, 2010 NY A 11310 Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
May 27, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23)
May 26, 2010 NC SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
May 26, 2010 LA SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
May 26, 2010 MA H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
May 26, 2010 OH HB 473 Prohibits Inappropriate Pictures of Minors Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
May 24, 2010 TN HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27)
May 20, 2010 LA HB 1443 Establishing Requirements for Contracts entered into by the Department of Health and Hospitals Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
May 20, 2010 NJ A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
May 18, 2010 OK HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
May 17, 2010 LA HB 300 Authorization for the Louisiana Tax Commission to Levy and Collect Certain Fees Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
May 17, 2010 MN HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 1368 Exempts Local School Districts from Various Rules and Regulations Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 1474 Choice of Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
May 13, 2010 LA HB 554 Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (63 - 20)
May 12, 2010 SC H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
May 12, 2010 CO HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
May 12, 2010 CO SB 191 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
May 12, 2010 MO HB 1311 Coverage for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Conference Report Adopted - House (144 - 16)
May 11, 2010 CO HB 1284 Increasing Medical Marijuana Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 19)
May 11, 2010 CO HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 29)
May 11, 2010 CO HB 1352 Concerning Charges to Crimes Involving Controlled Substances Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 5)
May 11, 2010 MO HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 47)
May 10, 2010 LA HB 942 School Board and Superintendent Contracts Bill Passed - House (76 - 16)
May 10, 2010 LA HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - House (68 - 26)
May 7, 2010 IL SB 3739 Establishing a Foreclosure Prevention Program Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
May 6, 2010 National HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Bill Failed - House (268 - 147)
May 6, 2010 IL SB 642 Public University Borrowing Bill Passed - House (87 - 28)
May 5, 2010 CT SB 438 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (106 - 38)
May 4, 2010 CO HB 1141 Requirement for Mortgage Companies to have License and Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 14)
May 4, 2010 CT HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
May 4, 2010 MN HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (79 - 54)
April 30, 2010 CT HB 5033 Partial Refund of Sales Tax Imposed on the Sale of School Buses with Seat Belts Bill Passed - House (125 - 18)
April 28, 2010 MO HB 2003 Higher Education Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (115 - 34)
Date No. Title Outcome
12/22 HR 847 9/11 Health and Compensation Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (206 - 60)
12/17 HR 5510 Aiding Those Facing Foreclosure Act Bill Failed - House (210 - 145)
12/16 H Amdt 786 Amending the Estate Tax Amendment Rejected - House (194 - 233)
12/13 S 1 Low-Income Housing Amendments and Abolishing the Council on Affordable Housing Bill Passed - House (43 - 32)
12/08 HR 6495 Mine Safety Act Bill Failed - House (214 - 193)
12/08 HR 5281 DREAM Act Concurrence Vote Passed - House (216 - 198)
11/22 ACR 151 Concerning Legislative Review of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program Resolution Passed - House (48 - 22)
11/18 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Concurrence Vote Passed - House (254 - 152)
11/15 HB 101 Education Law Amendments Veto Override Passed - House (171 - 24)
11/15 HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (165 - 31)
9/30 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Veto Override Failed - House (42 - 32)
9/21 SB 1152 2010-2011 Department of Community Health Budget Conference Report Adopted - House (68 - 39)
9/16 HR 4785 Authorizing Loans for Energy Efficiency Purposes Bill Passed - House (240 - 172)
9/15 SB 1151 Community College Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (56 - 49)
8/31 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Concurrence Vote Passed - House (54 - 21)
8/31 AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Concurrence Vote Passed - House (59 - 18)
8/26 AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Concurrence Vote Passed - House (50 - 28)
8/26 AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Concurrence Vote Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/26 SB 1413 Requiring Free Drinking Water in Public School Cafeterias Bill Passed - House (52 - 22)
8/25 HB 6086 2009-2010 Budget Amendments Bill Passed - House (57 - 47)
8/24 SB 399 Authorizing Youth Offenders to Appeal a Sentence of Life Without Parole Bill Failed - House (34 - 38)
7/28 HR 5827 Exempting Guns from an Estate for Bankruptcy Purposes Bill Passed - House (307 - 113)
7/21 HR 725 Tribal Law Enforcement Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (326 - 92)
7/15 HR 5114 Flood Insurance Program Extension Bill Passed - House (329 - 90)
7/12 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Concurrence Vote Passed - House (73 - 4)
7/10 HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Conference Report Adopted - House (83 - 21)
7/08 HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Concurrence Vote Passed - House (99 - 8)
7/07 HB 1403 Collecting DNA Sample Upon Arrest Bill Passed - House (93 - 20)
7/06 SB 1015 Homeowner and Homebuyer Protection Act Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
6/30 HR 4173 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act Conference Report Adopted - House (237 - 192)
6/30 HB 2572 Establishing the Special Juvenile Victim Compensation Fund Bill Passed - House (125 - 76)
6/29 SB 1216 Extending the Emergency Foreclosure Program Bill Passed - House (89 - 26)
6/29 S 29 Reducing the property tax levy cap Bill Passed - House (44 - 33)
6/29 S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)
6/29 S 5620 Reducing Drug Penalties for Offenders with Hypodermic Syringes Bill Passed - House (93 - 52)
6/28 S 2094 Limiting State Alternate Benefit Program for Higher Education Faculty Bill Passed - House (41 - 36)
6/28 HB 1726 Child Care Nutrition and Activity Standards Bill Passed - House (67 - 46)
6/23 HB 704 Special Education Funding Bill Passed - House (173 - 25)
6/21 HB 5207 Criminal Background Checks for State Employees Veto Override Passed - House (120 - 19)
6/21 HB 5248 Establishing a Sentencing Commission Veto Override Passed - House (130 - 9)
6/20 HB 519 Limiting "Retire-Rehire" Benefits in Public Schools Concurrence Vote Passed - House (71 - 19)
6/20 HB 1171 Standards for Colleges and Universities Concurrence Vote Passed - House (74 - 23)
6/18 SB 584 Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority Bill Passed - House (75 - 23)
6/18 SB 381 Establishing "Crime Against Nature by Solicitation" Bill Passed - House (80 - 10)
6/18 A 9709 Omnibus Appropriations Bill Passed - House (79 - 52)
6/17 SJR V Expanding Prohibitions Against Felons Holding Public Office Joint Resolution Passed - House (91 - 13)
6/16 HB 303 Authorizing Home School Student Athletic Participation Concurrence Vote Passed - House (82 - 13)
6/16 A 11410 Emergency Housing Rent Control Extension Bill Passed - House (94 - 41)
6/16 HB 2497 Amends State Employee Pension System Bill Passed - House (192 - 6)
6/10 H Amdt 686 Limiting Federal Housing Administration Mortgage Issuance Amendment Rejected - House (106 - 316)
6/10 H Amdt 684 Increasing Minimum Down Payment for Federal Housing Administration Mortgages Amendment Rejected - House (131 - 289)
6/10 H Amdt 688 Limiting Principal Obligation Amounts of Federal Housing Administration Mortgages Amendment Rejected - House (121 - 301)
6/10 H 8094 Education Funding Amendments Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 10)
6/09 HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30)
6/09 HB 670 Requiring Correctional Facilities to Determine Immigration Status of Inmates Conference Report Adopted - House (57 - 30)
6/08 HB 1502 Verification of Employee Eligibility Bill Passed - House (188 - 6)
6/07 S 8089 Emergency Appropriation Extension Bill Passed - House (90 - 44)
6/07 S 8088 Requiring Prior Approval of Health Insurance Premium Rates Bill Passed - House (117 - 17)
6/03 AB 2479 Penalties for Violations Committed with the Intent to Capture Images or Recordings of a Person Bill Passed - House (56 - 16)
6/03 AB 2047 Expanding Authorized University Admission Considerations Amendment Adopted - House (48 - 28)
6/02 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
6/02 SB 210 Establishing Health and Nutrition Standards in Schools Bill Passed - House (77 - 21)
6/02 AB 2470 Individual Health Plan Requirements Bill Passed - House (46 - 27)
6/02 AB 1825 Requiring Inclusion of Maternity Services in Health Coverage Bill Passed - House (48 - 25)
6/01 AB 1600 Requiring Insurers to Cover Mental Health Services Bill Passed - House (50 - 27)
6/01 AB 1602 Health Care Coverage Amendments Bill Passed - House (49 - 26)
5/28 A 11310 Education Law Amendments Concerning Charter Schools Bill Passed - House (93 - 42)
5/27 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Concurrence Vote Passed - House (68 - 23)
5/26 SB 704 School Change Models Bill Passed - House (70 - 43)
5/26 SB 38 Criminalization of Participation in Cockfighting Bill Passed - House (73 - 13)
5/26 H 4703 Sentencing Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (139 - 17)
5/26 HB 473 Prohibits Inappropriate Pictures of Minors Bill Passed - House (86 - 12)
5/24 HJR 1253 Resolution Recognizing Arizona Statehood and New Immigration Policy Joint Resolution Passed - House (67 - 27)
5/20 HB 1443 Establishing Requirements for Contracts entered into by the Department of Health and Hospitals Bill Passed - House (64 - 27)
5/20 A 1678 Establishing a New Jersey Homebuyer Tax Credit Program Bill Passed - House (67 - 8)
5/18 HJR 1054 Prohibiting Federal Health Care Mandates Veto Override Passed - House (72 - 24)
5/17 HB 300 Authorization for the Louisiana Tax Commission to Levy and Collect Certain Fees Bill Passed - House (63 - 27)
5/17 HF 1 2010-2011 Budget Bill Passed - House (97 - 32)
5/13 HB 1368 Exempts Local School Districts from Various Rules and Regulations Bill Passed - House (68 - 20)
5/13 HB 1474 Choice of Health Insurance Coverage Bill Passed - House (60 - 15)
5/13 HB 554 Prohibiting Release on Own Recognizance for Domestic Abuse Suspects Bill Passed - House (63 - 20)
5/12 H 3584 Cigarette Tax Increase Veto Override Passed - House (90 - 29)
5/12 HB 1360 Parole Violation Punishment Reduction Concurrence Vote Passed - House (43 - 18)
5/12 SB 191 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (36 - 29)
5/12 HB 1311 Coverage for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Conference Report Adopted - House (144 - 16)
5/11 HB 1284 Increasing Medical Marijuana Regulations Concurrence Vote Passed - House (46 - 19)
5/11 HB 1238 Increasing Fines for Moving Traffic Violations in Wildlife Crossing Zones Concurrence Vote Passed - House (34 - 29)
5/11 HB 1352 Concerning Charges to Crimes Involving Controlled Substances Concurrence Vote Passed - House (58 - 5)
5/11 HB 1764 Prohibits Mandatory Participation in a Health Care System Concurrence Vote Passed - House (108 - 47)
5/10 HB 942 School Board and Superintendent Contracts Bill Passed - House (76 - 16)
5/10 HB 1033 Evaluation and Assessment Programs Bill Passed - House (68 - 26)
5/07 SB 3739 Establishing a Foreclosure Prevention Program Bill Passed - House (87 - 26)
5/06 HR 1722 Telework Policies and Regulations for Federal Agencies Bill Failed - House (268 - 147)
5/06 SB 642 Public University Borrowing Bill Passed - House (87 - 28)
5/05 SB 438 Education Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (106 - 38)
5/04 HB 1141 Requirement for Mortgage Companies to have License and Registration Concurrence Vote Passed - House (51 - 14)
5/04 HB 5423 Classroom Experiments and Dissections on Animals Bill Passed - House (81 - 67)
5/04 HF 2614 Health and Human Services Law Amendments Bill Passed - House (79 - 54)
4/30 HB 5033 Partial Refund of Sales Tax Imposed on the Sale of School Buses with Seat Belts Bill Passed - House (125 - 18)
4/28 HB 2003 Higher Education Appropriations Conference Report Adopted - House (115 - 34)

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